2016, Alexandria, VA, USA
Students at George Washington Middle School are concerned about the impact of pesticides on insects. Alexandria, VA, as many places around the world, has seen a decline in pollinators, specifically bees. Students talked with professors of entomology at Virginia Tech University and identified two interrelated potential causes of bee decline: the decline of native plants was one concern.
After doing further research, the students discovered that many non-native plants require pesticides because they do not have natural defenses against native insect predators. To address both issues in one solution, the students developed the “seed bomb,” a mixer of Leca Clay and wildflower, a native plant. “Seed bombs” will help the environment by increasing native plants in the community, which don’t need pesticides, and preventing pollinators such as, bees, from being harmed by pesticide poisoning. The students plan to distribute the “seed bombs” throughout communities and schools in neighborhoods with large pesticide levels. Each “seed bomb” will include a website address and more information about the project and the effects of pesticides on the watershed. Students have requested $399 to create a website and to support distribution. The website will include a video of the native plants growing from the seeds, as well as more information about the project and the effects of pesticides on the watershed.